Pr 20:6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? KJV
Every one of us wants to believe “Well I’m faithful. You can count on me, I’m trustworthy” But what is the reality? The reality is that faithful people are not everywhere. As a matter of fact this theme we will see over and over again that really faithful people are rare. They are not everywhere, not everybody is faithful, reliable, trust worthy. Now we can’t control and force people to be faithful, but we can make up our mind that with God’s help you are going to be one of the faithful ones. I’m going to hear from the Lord, ” well done good and faithful…enter into the joy of your Lord.”
Now it may help us for a minute to think about that declaration from the lips of Jesus and being given honor in heaven but what qualifies us for these things is our due diligent here and now in the small places of our life. What does it mean to be faithful? Faithful means trust worthy or to be trusted. It means to be reliable. (you can count on them)
- strict or thorough in the performance of duty: a faithful worker.
- true to one’s word, promises, vows, etc.
- steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant: faithful friends.
- reliable, trusted, or believed.
- adhering or true to fact, a standard, or an original; accurate: a faithful account; a faithful copy.
- the faithful, a. the believers, especially members of a Christian church. b. the body of loyal members of any party or group.
Remember we can look at all the definitions and still come short of understanding. Most the time our best lessons are learned through example. The ultimate example of faithfulness is God himself. If you want to know about faithfulness look at his, mimic him, follow him.
Dt 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; KJV
1 Co 1:9 God is faithful, through whom ye were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. ASV
2 Th 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and guard you from the evil (one).ASV
1 Pe 4:19-5:1 Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator. ASV
1 Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ASV
Rv 19:11 And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon called Faithful and True; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. ASV
The scripture declare “God is faithful”. Can we trust him completely; can we rely on him every time? Is he a person of his word and promises? Is he a person of integrity? The Scriptures shout YES AMEN! Not only is God faithful but He expects the same of us. Each of us has been given gifts and talents, he wants us to do well. He wants each of us to enter the joy of the Lord. He has sown into us his very nature so that we might produce for his Kingdom.
Jesus is the Corner stone on which all the body of Christ is cut from. He has sown into us his character, his integrity, his faithfulness and should be seen working in the life of every Christian, but you all too often it’s not! Here is the question (each of us must answer it) can the faithful God trust you? Can God count on you?
There is something here we need to look at when we look to God to reveal faithfulness to us.
Number one – God is always there! You can’t be faithful if you are not there. Can you be a faithful mother and not be there for your children? Can you be a faithful Dad and not be there? How about a faithful worker but you are never there? Or a faithful leader but you’re not there. How about a faithful friend but you are never there? Think about it no matter how gifted you are if you never show up, you are not being faithful and whatever strength, gift, talent you have it helps no one. So being faithful is being there.
Now we are looking at the Lord’s admonition to be faithful and for us to hear the words “well done good and faithful servant” doesn’t mean we have to be perfect. But it means you personally must apply effort, work, due diligence.
Heb 13:5 AMP Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not,[I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down ( relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] [Jos 1:5.]
Can you count of God being there for us? YES! Three times he said “I will not” he is emphasizing for us the fact that GOD IS FAITHFUL. We can’t imagine God not showing up or being late…why? GOD IS FAITHFUL!
I think back on the time the Lord told me and a friend to help Rev. Jerry & Linda Jones to set up their tent for a revival in Savoy. I just sitting drinking my coffee and Bud Harris came in asking us if we heard they were setting up their tent. As we were talking the Lord said to me “you will help them” do you know there were hundreds of cars that passed by us as we set that tent up, hundreds. And I’m sure there were many that attended the church Jerry and Linda were a part of. And I look back at that time in wonder. It was no accident that those meeting were used to touch Elaine and I. God saw to it that those meetings changed the direction of our lives and looking back it I can see we were reaping God’s blessing, it comes down to this…WE WERE THERE and GOD IS A REWARDER!